They may be price shopping, but if you convince them to take another look, then you can increase the chances of getting your shoppers to come back. Encourage recipients to open emails, and you’ll increase the likelihood of purchase.

Guide for getting >40% Open Rates for Abandoned Cart Email

Ahhh the Pied Piper, playing such a magical tune that everyone wants to follow. You’re the piper now, so remember the PIPR strategy to increase your open rate.

(I)ncentivized

Purchase friction is real. Your recipient has already seen the product. They didn’t buy it. Yet.

Why?

FUD? (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt)

Price?

Perceived Value?

Product not in stock in their size / color preference?

Card not accepted on site?

Additional costs added at checkout?

Delivery options?

You’re not going to solve all of these with your subject line — but you can get the open with two words:

Incentive Included

Add those two words to your next subject line and watch the open rates soar. Vary them to suit your audience.

Note: you’ll need to follow up with an actual incentive in the email body. The value of your incentive to your audience will directly impact click through rates.

Other ways to incentivize the audience include:

“Act fast” – make them feel like it won’t be available forever

“Special: Complimentary shipping” (note: try not to use the word “free” in your email subject lines – it will increase your spam rating and decrease your deliverability. Run email templates through SpamAssassin before you finalize them.

xx% discount

<Subj line> – and get an <amazing thing> on us!

(P)roduct (R)eminder

Shoppers don’t care about their cart. They weren’t buying a cart. They care about the products IN THEIR CART. Stop saying “you forgot your cart” and start reminding them of a product they’re interested in.

Fields you can use to describe product in the subject line:

<Product Name>

<Product Size>

<Product Color>

34 Inspirational Subject Line Examples

Hey <FNAME>, you forgot something!

You’ve left something behind <FNAME>

Your <item> would look so good on you

What did that <Product Name> look like again?

This <Product Name> has your name on it, <FNAME>

<FNAME>, I think you forgot something???

Don’t let your favorite items sell out

<FNAME>, buy your <item> now and save 15%!

Incentive included – (used before or after the subject line)

Get it or Regret it!

There are 3 <product name> in <size> still available

Imagine the elegant <product name> in your wardrobe

Remember your last vacation? <Destination> will make you smile.

<Destination> now available — incentive included

<Destination> now available, book today for 10% off

Heard it’s snowing in <Location>, get <product name> to stay warm

These would go great with your new <Product name>

<FNAME>, your <product> is about to sell out!

You still have a chance to get <product>!

Surprise <FNAME>! Complete your order and get 15% off

Heard you’re going to <Destination>. Tickets to <alternate destination nearby> are only <Price>!

Since you liked <product>. Check out our other <product category> that are on sale

Only 1 <Product name> in <product color> Left! Get it Now!

Act Fast to Get 15% Off Your Cart!

The price dropped for something in your cart

<FNAME>, your cart is expiring in the next 24 hours!

Remember your <product name>? It’s about to sell out…

<FNAME>, subscribe today and get 20% off

OMG <FNAME>! Your <product> is selling out!

Wait <FNAME>. Did you mean to add these?

<FNAME>, there’s a problem. You haven’t checked out your cart!

Don’t miss out!

Still thinking about it?

Items in your cart are in high demand

[URGENT] You’ve got ONE more day to purchase

Analysis of Abandoned Cart Email Campaigns

Here are some ACTUAL examples of abandoned cart emails and our analysis of each.

The Good

Why it works: It’s a simple email just stating the item and asking the shopper to “act fast”. It clearly describes the product and the color that the recipient was looking at. It adds a sense of urgency.

Subject Line: Lemme Teleport You Back To Your Cart. Free of Charge.

Why it works: Very informal and on brand for Chubbies. This abandoned cart email will stand out from other swim short companies, and resonate with their target audience. If your product and brand messaging has a specific tone to it, then make sure to leverage it in your abandoned cart emails.

Subject Line: Cute Puppies Want to Know…

Why it works: BalletBox is focused on a “cutesy” market for young girls. They use on-brand messaging that resonates with their audience. Plus, how can anyone say “no” to cute puppies?

Subject Line: -FNAME-, you want to make a deal?

Why it works: This abandoned cart email by Nomad uses personalization and an incentivized question to get shoppers to open. The body of the email then uses a discount code to drive the purchase.

The Bad

Subject Line: You left items in your cart

If this is your first abandoned cart email and you’re just trying to get anything out there, then ok, this is fine. It’s about as simple as you can get, and that could be ok. You can do better.

Subject Line: Eek — something you like is almost sold out!

If this is your first abandoned cart email and you’re just trying to get anything out there, then ok, this is fine. It’s about as simple as you can get, and that could be ok. You can do better.

Subject Line: WHERE’D YOU GO?!

Why I hate it: Personally – I think the ALL CAPS approach is garbage. It’s not personalized, it has no incentive, and it doesn’t tell me anything about my product.

They do use a cute puppy in the email — but people have to get past the subject line first.

[…] ensure that people open your emails, start with the subject line. For tips, see our post entitled, How to Increase Open Rates with better Subject Lines (for Abandoned Cart and Abandoned Browse Campai…. We shared some wonderful tips and examples of email subject lines in a previous post. You’ll […]